KOCHI: The Central Government will release an amount of Rs. 150 crore for the renovation of the Maradu market in Kochi. Speaking at ‘Haritholsavam 2011’ organised by the Agriculture Department along with the Ministry of Agriculture, here on Saturday, Union Minister K V Thomas said that steps would be taken to make Maradu Market one of the most modernised ones in South India. The Minister said that many places, including Thrikkakara will also get small cold storage. He said that measures have been initiated to distribute rice and wheat at a subsidised rate in the state ahead of Onam. Rice which costs at Rs. 23 a kilo will be distributed at Rs. 11.85 and wheat which costs Rs. 16 a kilo will be distributed at Rs. 8.45. Inaugurating the function Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that Haritholsavam, the biggest agri-horti fest in India is organised in the backdrop of Onam. He said the Central Government should take the responsibility in making the Maradu Market as one of the most modernised market in South India.Haritholsavam was started in 2009, but due to some technical reasons it was not organised later. “To continue Haritholsavam in the future, the State Government will set aside an amount of Rs. 25 lakh,” the Chief Minister said. He sought the help of the Central Government to speed up the procedures in this regard.Noted scientist M S Swaminathan said there is a need to open a new chapter in the state which should be purely based on agriculture. “Organic farming is developing at a fast pace. But the unavailability of improved scientific techniques in transportation is putting a lot of impediments in its improvement.”It is said that the Haritholsavam 2011 will be the ideal platform to showcase fruits and vegetables from India which will help the farmers to procure a reasonable price for their products. The focus fruit for this year’s Haritholsavam is banana. Bunch of bananas weighing 50 kg was a main attraction of the fest. The Haritholsavam emphasises the farming of fruits and vegetables which will give an impetus to the agricultural sector, thereby providing the farmers a platform to update themselves with the technological innovations.Excise Minister K Babu, K P Dhanapalan MP, MLAs V D Satheesan, Ludy Louis, Dominic Presentation, Benny Behanan, district panchayat president Eldose Kunnappalli, District Collector P I Sheikh Pareeth and Maradu municipal chairman T K Devarajan were also present.
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